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KENPO GIRL

Dedicated to the enthusiastic martial artists in various systems, and how martial arts has affected our lives.

Valentina "Bullet" Shevchenko & Muay Thai

7/7/2017

18 Comments

 

A few months ago, I was asked by MMA Wreckage to cover an MMA seminar in Los Angeles.  

The seminar was hosted by the Paradise Warrior Retreat who traditionally brings in successful UFC fighters.  The goal of the seminar is to allow the fighters to discuss and show guests some of their training techniques.  
​This time they featured Muay Thai Specialists Valetina Shevchenko and her sister Antonina Shevchenko.


​Valentina Shevchenko has received quite a bit of publicity from her upcoming UFC title fight with Amanda Nunez, scheduled July 8th.  

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​The truth is, Valentina was a very successful fighter before her Mixed Martial Arts career.

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She has held several kickboxing and Muay Thai Championships and is highly regarded as one of the best female Muay Thai fighters in the world.  For her Mixed Martial Arts resume, she boasts a 2nd Dan and Master of Sports title in Taekwondo, a black belt in Judo, Master of Sports Muay Thai title, Master of Sports title in Boxing and finally a Master of Sports title in Kickboxing.
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Her sister, Antonina Shevchenko is no slouch either.  

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Antonina with her WKC belt.


​Antonina is a 3x IFMA Muay Thai Champion and recently won the WMC and Phoenix FC World Titles.  In 2016, she was a 10x World Champion and was awarded Fighter of the Year by Awakening Muay Thai Awards and has been undefeated in her MMA career.


​A close correlation has formed between Muay Thai and MMA

 Many MMA fighters either have experience in Muay Thai or have modeled their striking from Muay Thai.  However, it is the Modern style of Muay Thai that is contributing to the popularity in MMA.  Valentina explained the difference between Modern Muay Thai and Traditional Muay Thai.

She explained,
“Modern Muay Thai is the practical use of Tradition Muay Thai. It’s about technique, traditional Muay Thai uses more straight techniques and more fixed stands.  Not many combinations with hands, more one or two punches but every time very strong. The same with kicks, strong one low kick, middle kick or high kick. Good clinch and good elbows. Modern Muay Thai uses all the same, but in the same moment the fighter of Modern Muay Thai can have European boxing hands with many combinations, strong turning kicks which many use in taekwondo, the back fists, superman punches and more movements in the ring.”

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Pretty much...

Muay Thai is not by any means a new age martial art.

Muay Thai can be traced back to the 16th Century.  Essentially the exposure from MMA, kickboxing and training outside of Thailand has begun to modify Muay Thai.  When I asked Valentina, whether she felt the popularity of MMA has affected the Muay Thai community?

She explained,
“The Popularity of MMA is natural because MMA is a Universal Sport.  Popularity of MMA develops from real kinds of Martial Arts such as Muay Thai, because Muay Thai is the best sport of stand-up sports.  Many Athletes in MMA use Muay Thai successfully.”
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Valentina and Antonina leading in a kicking exercise. 


Unlike some systems that are cynical of non-indigenous practitioners...

Valentina reassures this does not apply to Muay Thai.  Valentina was born and raised in the USSR but currently lives in Lima, Peru.  I asked if she had ever been harassed about fighting in Muay Thai and not being Thai?

​Valentina says,
“If the athlete has real technique of Muay Thai then there is no difference what kind of nationality the athlete is and what country he or she is from.  Muay Thai is from Thailand but now Muay Thai is for the whole world. One world one muaythai.”


​Muay Thai has spread and come a long way since it was first created. ​

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​ The International Federation of Muay Thai Amateur also known as the IFMA was formed in 1993 and oversees the amateur Muay Thai compe
titions in 128 countries.  Only 20 years later, the International World Games Association would announce that Muay Thai would be part of the World Games 2017 in Wroclaw, Poland.  
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Yet there is still one controversy surrounding Muay Thai that has the community divided.  

.  The debate of whether children should be allowed to study, train and compete in Muay Thai. Some opposed such as the Child Safety Promotion and Injury Prevention Research Centre, claim that Muay Thai style boxing like strikes and kickboxing style kicks to the head of young children could cause permanent brain damage or alter development in children.  The Child Safety Promotion and Injury Prevention Research Centre has urged the Muay Thai community to limit strikes to the head and in some circumstances prohibiting certain age groups from competing in full contact Muay Thai. ​I asked what her beliefs were on the children in Muay Thai situation?

She insists that,
“Muay Thai has ancient traditions, including child fights and trainings. And it is justified and correct because little children can learn Muay Thai safely. For the little children, their beginning of combat activity passes like games, just like in nature..."

"Tigers do not wait until their cubs grow to teach them hunting, otherwise they will be hungry and die."  

"And I think that is very cruel to children –to deprive them of the opportunity to learn fighting. Especially since now children can fight in good equipment and under the supervision of qualified trainers."
​

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Antonina teaching/coaching at the Paradise Warrior Retreat.

Valentina began her Martial Arts training at 5 years old.  Her kickboxing career began at 12 years old when she knocked out her opponent that was almost twice her age.  Needless to say, Valentina as a child was no stranger to Martial Arts or training.  

​She went into further explanation,
“When I just started to train in Taekwondo ITF, when competitions took place sometimes several hundred children (attended). In these years, we almost had not so good protection and had gloves thinner than MMA gloves now. But no serious injuries- maximum bruises. In that time, it was something to be proud of.  And all these children grew up healthy and good people.  They run, play and fight- it’s very natural for children. The more early you start to train and fight, the more better fighter in future."

I personally as a mother whose son competes in karate tournaments can say their safety is taken seriously.  My son Jared is 5 years old and I distinctly remember when he inquired about sparring the first words out of my Sifu’s mouth was, “well time to order his equipment.”


It is articulative and responsible athletes and Martial Artist like Valentina and Antonina that help create a clear understanding to Martial Arts we may only be familiar with through entertainment.  

As the MMA sport grows in popularity and exposes its audiences to different systems and styles of Martial Arts, we must remember the different Martial Arts exhibited are being applied in a sports and entertainment environment.  We should remember these Martial Arts have deep roots in cultures and civilizations not only as combative training but to help practitioners find an inner strength and inner growth.
 
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Valentina has developed an inner strength that pushes her to train and almost perfect her technique in her various disciplines.  It is this dedication and tenacity that Valentina has clearly based her MMA and Muay Thai career on.
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Me getting to meet and talk with Valentina, Antonina and their coach Pavel.

18 Comments

Dragonfest 2016

7/10/2016

4 Comments

 

I attended my first ever Martial Arts convention called Dragonfest.

Dragonfest is an annual fundraiser for the Martial Arts History Museum.  The convention hosts a variety of booths.  For $25 guests can meet local instructors to discuss their systems and styles, shop various items ranging from Japanese style art to knives and even Gi’s and of course meet various celebrities.
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When I first arrived it was a bit of a culture shock.  The mixture of the variety of booths, the Taiko drums and lion dancers were an adrenaline rush and slightly overwhelming.  There was a stage available for demonstrations, performances and a live auction. There was a large diversity of systems, some I hadn’t even thought about seeing at a Martial Arts convention such as the United States Sumo Federation and Michelle Manu a Hawaiian Weaponry specialist.  It was while I was first walking around that I met Robin Hart.  
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Robin Hart is the Owner of Muay Thai School USA and is the only female professional promoter in the USA that has brought some of the best Muay Thai fighters from around the world to the USA.  Robin found out about Dragonfest after her and her Summer Junior Muay Thai Camp students visited the Martial Arts History Museum.  She told me, “The networking here is amazing.  It’s awesome to be a part of the Martial Arts Community.”
And what a community it is ranging from Muay Thai, Kenpo to Kung Fu and even Sumo. Robin reassured,
​ “Even though there’s not a traditional belt system (in Muay Thai) we still have advancements like any other system.  When people are deeply involved with Martial Arts they have a deep respect for each other regardless of the system.”

As I walked and talked I found that I could have a thorough conversation with anyone about Martial Arts.  I sat down and spoke with Carrie Ogawa-Wong, 2005 inductee into the Martial Arts History Museum Hall of Fame, White Lotus Kung Fu Master and instructor at the White Lotus Kung Fu Studio.  Her and her husband Doug Wong (Founder of White Lotus Kung Fu and Author) were selling his books, t-shirts and handing out information on their Dojo.
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Carrie has attended every Dragonfest, minus the very first one.  As a veteran to the convention she said, “It’s great that once a year we get to see our olds friends in the different systems that we have in a way grown up with.”

She insists,
​ “Anyone can attend, there’s a little bit of everything in the Martial Arts culture here.  People can be so limited on the culture of Marital Arts so it’s good to attend.”
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I ran into fellow Kenpoists Marissa and Minh Mach at Ed Parker Jr.’s booth and asked them what they thought about their first visit to Dragonfest? 
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Marissa had thought it would be smaller, “I didn’t expect it to be this big and with all the notable Martial Artists here.  It’s awesome and we appreciate the varieties (systems/styles).”

​There were many notable Martial Artists present for the event; from Ed Parker Jr., Don “The Dragon” Wilson and Cynthia Rothrock. One of the celebrities I had the opportunity to speak with is Al Leong, actor from Die Hard and Big Trouble in Little China Town.  He had attended last year as well and told me, “This is a better location, it keeps getting bigger.  This brings a lot of different people together and different styles together.”
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Yet these meetings are not just limited to a photo op and autographs.  I spoke with Mr. Leong about his book “The Eight Lives of Al “Ka-Bong” Leong,” which tells the story in vivid detail of his career in film and stunt work.  At each celebrity booth, guests can purchase memorabilia, have the celebrity sign and then discuss and talk with them and this is all possible because everyone here is approachable.
​
Towards the end of the day I was able to meet up with the one and only Cynthia Rothrock.  Cynthia is a Martial Arts Film actress that is heavily involved with the Martial Arts History museum.  She has attended every Dragonfest. 
She explained,
“The Martial Arts History Museum is sponsoring this where you can meet actors and other Martial Artists, there’s entertainment and knowledge for everyone.  Everyone here is so friendly and it gets bigger and bigger each year.”
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Cynthia explained that anyone can enjoy Dragonfest.  She studies 5 different forms of Martial Arts: 3 Chinese systems and 2 Korean systems.  She says anyone interested in starting Martial Arts could attend and see the various demonstrations and speak to the different practitioners to determine what system is best for them.

The truth is I was slightly skeptical about attending Dragonfest.  

​I had envisioned a group of mainstream pretend Martial Artists running around in some costume and swinging fake Samurai swords at each other…

It wasn’t that way at all.  Everyone had pride in their system and style and where excited to be at an event where they could discuss their passion for the art.  The Martial Arts History Museum might have hosted the event, but it is the passion we all share for the study and art of Martial Arts that brought us there and kept us captivated. 
​
Though this event may be overwhelming for some, I would greatly encourage anyone to attend.  This event was an eye opener to the idea of having support not just in your dojo and your own system but to reach out to other various systems.  

The physical training may vary but the spiritual journey is all the same.

4 Comments

Stephen Thompson & Carlos Condit Q&A with Kenpo Girl at UFC Seminar

5/15/2016

0 Comments

 

​My parents enrolled me in a martial arts after school program when I was young ...

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They felt it was important for any woman to know how to defend herself.  It’s a belief I have carried into adulthood.  It was in my training that I learned techniques to escape basic attacks: punches, grabs, kicks ect.  I was very active with my dojo at the time but I never had the urge or desire to do anything competitive with it.  To be honest I never even sparred until my return to the mat as an adult.

Needless to say my experience with competitive martial arts is limited.  I’ve never paid to watch any fights, usually stumbling upon results or highlights on my Facebook feed, and discussing them with whoever brings it up around the Dojo water cooler. It’s not that I am against competitive fighting—I have just always felt knowing who the top ranking fighters are in UFC wouldn’t save my ass in a street fight.
​
When I was asked to help promote/attend the grand opening of the UFC GYM in Northridge, CA and the Paradise Warriors Retreat UFC Seminar, I was surprised.  I didn’t know what to expect and I didn’t know what I would walk away with.  That’s even if I could walk away afterwards.
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After I consulted with a good friend of mine we decided to go just as spectators, the intent being to check out the UFC GYM (since it feels like they’re popping up everywhere) and secondly to meet and talk to some of the UFC fighters teaching at the seminar.


​When I and Ms. Z arrived at the gym we were pleasantly surprised to find that UFC GYMs are like martial arts versions of Chucky Cheese.  It was clear that this place was well stocked for any form of fitness training but was also equipped with a mat and their own cage.  
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Yes that's me playing hide and seek.

When we checked in for the seminar and looked over the schedule it screamed, “MMA FIGHTER IN ONE DAY!”  We had striking class with Stephen Thompson, BJJ Submission and attack from the Guard training with Arnoldo Maidana, Muay Thai & using elbows/knees to finish a fight by Carlos Condit and finishing the day off with finishing your opponent with strikes against the cage by Alan Jouban.
It sounded ruthless and I had been told the classes were for any age or level but I was skeptical.
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  1. Push drags: they never officially called it this but that’s what it was, applied to make your attack less readable.
  2.  Heal-Toe alignment: A proper stance was brought up by Ray Thompson about measuring your stance with what we call heal-toe alignment.
  3. Power principles: using body mass was brought up to add power to a strike.  It all refers back to our power principles of backup mass, torque and marriage of gravity.

I was proven wrong by the first class.  The striking class with Stephen “Wonderboy” Thompson and his dad/coach Ray Thompson was a pleasant surprise.  Here where two clearly experience instructors not only providing realistic drills but discussing the technique and theory behind each drill that was obviously Kempo based (and yes some of the students were kids and women).
​
It was also an eye opener.  As I watched it became clear that very few students had any martial arts basis to go off of.  Some of the students didn’t even know what a proper fighting stance was.  The Thompson’s were introducing them to literally basics and principles such as...

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I could identify these basics because I train with them every day, but to the inexperienced martial artists they viewed it as a novelty.  I felt there was an important lesson for fighters whose training method is to pump iron and hit bags as hard as you can all day… 
There is technique in MMA.  It comes from the basis of whatever system you choose to start with.  You have to learn the basics and hone your technique otherwise you’re just another bozo jumping around in gym shorts.
After class I got a chance to talk to Stephen.  
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A funny history lesson: My Grandmaster Sifu Ed Parker Sr. was Elvis’s instructor and it was Elvis’s involvement in martial arts that inspired Ray Thompson to start martial arts. 

I have heard about the NFL lawsuits concerning concussions damaging the player’s brains.  You are not just getting slapped in the head during an MMA fight and there’s a very great possibility you’re going to get knocked out.  So I had to ask, “With the NFL in the middle of a lawsuit concerning concussions, are you concerned about any lasting damage from your fights?”

Stephen replied, “No, because of the way I move I don’t worry about it.  I see these guys, you can tell (they’re effected) by the way they talk but they get that way in the gym.  You have to train smart.  When we spar we work light, we work the body not the head.  You just have to train smart.”
​
Training smart was something he had brought up in the class repeatedly even discussing his former injuries and how he listens to his body to determine work outs at times.  
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On top of his training for MMA, Stephen and his dad run a Martial Arts School called Upstate Karate.  Stephen is the head kid’s instructor.  I hadn’t envisioned an MMA fighter as being a kid’s instructor.  I’m an instructor at Double Dragon and know what kids gain from learning martial arts, but a part of me wanted to know if he had the same philosophy or if it would be different because of the competitive edge…  So I asked, “Some people believe that UFC and martial art are promoting violence in children.  What’s your response to that idea?”

Stephen didn’t even hesitate, explaining the importance of learning to defend yourself regardless of age and that it helps teach modesty and respect.  He also brought up bullying, that learning to defend yourself will deter bullies.
​
Pretty much what all proper martial artist instructors have been saying since the beginning of time that no one wants to listen too.  Now at Upstate Karate they teach various styles of martial arts.  I have been somewhat confused about this in the past and I had read articles and rants online about learning too many systems and never mastering one.  “Some people feel that by doing MMA you aren’t mastering a system.  Your response?”

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I have to admit I was nervous about asking this question.  The last thing I wanted to do was piss this guy off but he was cool about it, “I have students that do karate, soccer, basketball…  They are good at them but they won’t be great because they’re not focusing on one.  It’s best to start (martial arts) at a young age, in one style and let it grow.”
​
I can relate as an instructor.  The countless times a student missed class for a week because of a track tournament or even a fatigued student because of back to back practices; at times the parents seeming to be more concerned with the quantity instead of quality of sport activities.  I had a wonderful time talking to Stephen.  He appeared to be a genuine guy that enjoys not only doing martial arts but teaching it, even taking time during the seminar to help the younger kids in the class.  The complete opposite of what I expected.

We later watched the class by Carlos Condit ...

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​This ended up being pretty much a drill class.  Carlos introduced incorporating elbows into blast double take downs and double under clutches.  This was interesting to me because I had never heard of such things but as I watched the students you could tell that because they lacked the power principles most would have to try hard to take someone down or get pulverized in the process.  The main lesson I walked away with from Carlos was a comment he made that indirectly connected back to Stephen’s interview...

“The more wars (sparring) you have here (gym), the less you have out there.”

Carlos has a son and after class I asked him if they did martial arts together?
Carlos responded, “Yes my son’s been doing Jujitsu a few years.  He’s 6.  I don’t train him, I just play and wrestle around, let it be fun.”

There are many different systems of martial arts and at times I think parents get confused on what is what and which they should enroll their child in.  So I asked him for advice he would give parents thinking of enrolling in martial arts.

Carlos believes and advises, “Take out the competitive aspect and let them train and have fun.  When they have fun it allows them to make mistakes and grow.”
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I think in turn MMA has the potential to be no different from a singular martial art.  It really just depends on where you train and who you train with.  Unfortunately with the popularity growth of UFC I believe we will see more MMA versions on McDojos popping up.  Anyone who’s contemplating training in a MMA style should take their time to do their research and don’t be afraid to ask questions.  The trainers that enjoy the sport and know what they’re doing will welcome the questions because they have the knowledge to answer and are worth your time.
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IS ALL FAIR IN LOVE & WAR?

5/12/2016

2 Comments

 
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Is it fair to assume if martial artists spend so much time contemplating war, then love is going to come up eventually. ​

It’s natural to find ourselves attempting to merge our lives with mat time.  Yet, it always seems to become a tedious balancing act when it comes to mat time and matters of the heart. 
My Sifu once advised,
“Date someone in martial arts.”
​
I’ve contemplated that statement, wondering if that really is the secret to a successful relationship.  As marital artists our equilibrium is naturally set to balance life and mat, but what happens when a third party becomes involved?   Haven’t we all heard the phrase,  

“You’re going to the dojo again?” ​

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Let's be honest, we've all been there and done that...

Dating someone in martial arts is an alluring concept.  I know multiple married couples that study together and have always viewed them as gold miners—the ones that struck it big.  But the grass is not always greener on the other side. 

I was visiting two of my married Kenpo friends; discussing sparring with them when I found out they never sparred together.  They practice techniques and forms together… but they didn’t spar.  They worried it would cause bad feelings and resentment between the two of them if one was either hit too hard or just right.  

​As a person that loves to spar, the idea of working techniques/forms and eliminating sparring sounded like hell to me; like building a relationship with someone and removing sex from the equation.

This entire time I had been day dreaming what it would be like to date a fellow martial artist—thinking how wonderful it would be to work out together and for someone to finally understand my passion for the art.
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Relationship goals... Or Urban Myth?

In reality it’s a naive concept.


No relationship is perfect and we tend to lose sight of what is important.  Finding a partner that supports us and respects us for who we are.  Every relationship is different and will have different needs.  If someone loves you for who you are (and you are a martial artist) then they should respect and love that part of you because it’s who you are. 

I’m no relationship expert but I am a martial artist and I hope my future partner recognizes from the sparring to Kenpo kisses (bruises) and the long mat hours are not only what I enjoy but they are making me a better person every day.

2 Comments

    Jesalyn Mae Harper

    Hello my name is Jesalyn.  I'm a divorced single mom and a karate addict...
    I am currently a 1st Brown belt in American Kenpo and a Junior Instructor at Double Dragon Kenpo Karate under JR Diaz, I am part of the Parker/Planas Lineage and study Karbaroan Eskrima with JR Diaz, under Guro Ed Planas

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